Outside a convenience store where she applied, Brina stands under an awning, rain lightly drizzling around her as she stares at her phone. Her expression is a mix of disappointment and longing.
Hindi na naman siya pumasa sa job interview.
Brina sighs deeply.
"Wow, talk about a rough day. Knocked out of the job interview, and now..."
(looks at her phone)
Maki's inviting me to a party where I’ll have to see him. Ugh. Him!
She opens the text from Maki.
"Yow ma fren! 🎉 Excited for Axel's birthday this Saturday! It won’t be the same without you! Please punta ka! 💖"
Brina murmurs to herself. "Right, it won’t be the same. Just like how I wasn’t the same after everything with Jerome."
She bites her lip, her mind racing back to memories with Jerome and Miya.
Brina speaking aloud. "I can’t believe they’ll be there. What am I supposed to do? Act like it doesn’t hurt to see them together?"
She looks up at the gray sky, raindrops rolling down her cheeks, blending with the tears she’s holding back.
Brina whispers. "I just miss it. I miss him... no, I miss the idea of him. But I can’t let Maki and Axel down."
Her phone buzzes again. Another message from Maki pops up.
"You okay, Girl? Let me know if you want to talk. I really hope you can come."
Brina takes a deep breath. "Maki always knows when something’s up. Should I tell her? No, she’ll just worry."
She scrolls through her old photos of her and Jerome, lingering on a picture where they all looked so happy together.
"I thought we were going to last, you know? Like, how could he..." Her voice trembling.
"It hurts to let go and watch him move on like it was nothing."
She closes her eyes, suddenly recalling Maki's comforting words.
Brina suddenly determined. "No. I won’t let this ruin everything. I can’t be selfish. They deserve to celebrate without me sulking in a corner."
She types back a response to Maki.
"Hey babe! I’ll be there! Can’t wait to celebrate Axel’s birthday! Let’s make it a blast! 🎉"
She sends the message, her heart racing, but resolves to face her fears.
"I can do this. I’ll just focus on Axel and Maki. They need me. Besides... it’s just one night."
She takes a deep breath, wipes a tear, and starts walking, clutching the phone tightly.
"One step at a time, Brina. You got this."
She walks away from the convenience store, ready to embrace whatever Saturday brings.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Maid's secret
Romantizm"The Maid's Secret" Brina, a young woman in her early twenties, has been struggling to find her footing in a competitive job market. All she wants is to make her family proud and secure a stable future, so when her aunt's friend, a woman named Hirom...
